1. OSERS Overview Jeremy Buzzell Office of Policy and Planning
6/24/2019
Rehabilitation Services Administration’s (RSA) Initiative on Assistive Technology Reuse
Jeremy Buzzell
Office of Policy and Planning

2. What is Assistive Technology (AT)?
- ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY DEVICE - The term `assistive technology device' means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. - This includes, but is broader than, durable medical equipment (DME). - There are many taxonomies for AT – see handout.

3. What is AT reuse?
Exchange: Connects users to directly exchange AT, similar to eBay or classified ads.
Reassign/Redistribute: Accepts AT for sanitization, identifies appropriate users, and matches to new consumer.
Refurbish: Similar to reassignment, but in addition the program restores AT to its original configuration, which may include repairing and replacing parts.
Open-ended loan: Borrower of a device can keep the device as long as needed.
Remanufacture: Similar to refurbishing, but strips and builds AT to new configuration.
Recycle: End-of-life breakdown of AT for disposal and/or reuse in refurbishing and remanufacturing.

4. - Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998
Why focus on reuse?
- Reauthorization of the Assistive Technology Act of 1998
- New Freedom Initiative
- Hurricane Katrina
- Prevalence of activity

5. Goal of Reuse Initiative
OSERS Overview
6/24/2019
Goal of Reuse Initiative
To increase the availability of assistive technology (AT) through promoting and supporting the appropriate, effective reuse of AT devices at the state and local level.

6. What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse?
OSERS Overview
6/24/2019
What Is ‘Appropriate’ Reuse?
Appropriate reuse:
- Is safe for consumers and reusers
- Results in positive outcomes for consumers
- Is environmentally friendly

7. What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse?
OSERS Overview
6/24/2019
What Is ‘Effective’ Reuse?
Effective reuse:
- Meets the needs of consumers
- Produces cost savings
- Is sustainable
- Has a positive or neutral effect on the AT field

8. OSERS Overview
6/24/2019
How RSA Supports Reuse
- Statewide AT Programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act (AT Act)
- Demonstrations of AT reuse funded under the Rehabilitation Act
- National Technical Assistance Center (Pass It On Center)

9. Statewide AT Programs funded under the AT Act
- 56 Statewide AT Programs (one per state and territory). - The majority of states/territories receive awards of less than $400, AT reuse is one of 7 activities that these programs carry out in a statewide, comprehensive manner.